The Golem Mage

Inside the meeting room of the Gordons Clan, all the Elders and the Patriarch gathered, their attention fixed on a screen displaying the inter academy competition.

The First Elder, responsible for the clan’s finances, recently discovered a significant sum of power crystals missing from the clan’s treasury, upon investigation, he discovered that the patriarch had been the one to spend a considerable amount to purchase the smallest size lighting mirrors available from the inter academy committee.

These mirrors were used to view competitions and provided a way for remote viewers to experience the event as if they were present at the stadium at the capital.

The mirrors created the illusion of being directly at the competition, functioning similar to a basic version of a television set, so the Patriarch had intended to use the mirrors to watch and assess Alec’s progress on his own.

However, upon learning that Alec had become the captain of the War God Academy, he couldn’t help but feel immense pride for his grandson, in his excitement, he momentarily forgot his principles regarding spending and impulsively acquired the lighting mirrors, which led to his discovery.

To avoid any awkwardness, the grand elder insisted that they all watch the competition together, as he reasoned that it was not only his own descendant who had made the team from the Gordons clan, which served to alleviate the guilt the Patriarch felt when questioned about the missing funds, the Patriarch readily accepted this idea, reducing his sense of wrongdoing.

However, as soon as the names of the participants from the War God Academy were announced, the previously calm patriarch’s demeanor instantly changed.

”What is this I’m hearing?, The clan added two more mages without even me knowing directly, and I have to hear about it through this competition? What is up with that brat again” the Patriarch exclaimed angrily, pointing at the screen before him.

The elders in the room all shook their heads, thinking that Alec had inherited many of the patriarch’s unfavourable traits, such as undertaking significant actions without informing the clan.

However, they refrained from voicing their concerns at that moment, well aware that the patriarch was still in a foul mood because of his Grandson’s behaviour.

”Why are you always jumping to conclusions? How can you be certain that Alec is indeed responsible for this situation?, There are clearly multiple Gordons clansmen with the authority to bestow the clan name upon their chosen enforcers in the War God Academy ,” the grand elder interjected.

The other elders sneered inwardly; they all recognized how the younger generations looked up to Alec, and even if Alec wasn’t directly responsible, they believed he was likely aware of the situation and should have alerted the clan as the young master.

”Don’t try to defend that rascal, i know him better than you do, and I hope you understand that clearly!” the patriarch retorted.

”Well, that doesn’t really matter, what’s important is that the name of our clan is being recognized worldwide, as almost every single member of that team bears the Gordons name, so, all we can do now is focus our attention on the competition and support them,” the grand elder stated, restoring the room to its usual silence.

–

”With the introductions complete, I declare this battle begun,” the referee announced as he ascended and flicked his fingers.

Suddenly, as if by magic, a huge transparent dome rose from the edges of the Colosseum floor and converged at a central point above, enclosing both teams, the transparent dome quickly transformed into a massive 180-degree screen displaying a vast forest, with the two teams completely separated on opposite sides to the spectators.

–

The moment the referee signalled the start of the match and snapped his fingers, Alec and his entire team found themselves transported into a sprawling ancient forest without any prior warning.

As Alec watched, the mages from the Bandit Academy vanished from sight, and the space they had occupied was swiftly enveloped by towering trees, the coin in Alec’s hand glowed intensely, then levitated and morphed into a small castle topped with a black flag that fluttered in the wind.

In that instant, Alec knew that this flag was the one he had to defend, bending slightly, he manipulated the earth beneath his feet to propel himself into the air until he was positioned beside the flag atop the small castle.

He extended his hand toward Sophia, and with a gesture, she too was lifted to the peak of the castle, just opposite the black flag. Alec then turned his attention to Pale, Katie, and Agnes below.

”You all have the freedom to go out and test your strength against those stronger than you, fight with all your might and don’t hold back, as I’ve said, I will be responsible for retrieving the flag and defending ours, You are only permitted to join in after defeating your current opponent and if you believe you have a chance at capturing it, Otherwise, do not attempt to battle for it, as you would only impede me,” Alec instructed, raising his hand to conjure an earth throne on the rooftop.

From the perspective of the spectators in the Colosseum, Alec’s command from the rooftop exuded a regal aura, however, they noticed that the Bandit Academy had already begun their advance while Alec was still addressing his team.

Just as Alec had chosen to remain behind to guard his team’s flag, the captain of the Bandit Academy had made a similar decision.

As the one who Leaded the offensive against the War God Academy was the vice-captain, Raven, who, along with the remaining three members of the Bandit Academy, navigated through the forest.

Their strategy was straightforward: reach the War God Academy first and eliminate them swiftly, leaving no opportunity for a counterattack.

Alec looked up, noticing something amiss.

”They’re here. They’ve sent forth four mages. I’ll take care of one of them to even the playing field,” he stated, surprising Pale, Agnes, and Katie.

Though the others couldn’t see or sense anyone nearby, Alec had already confirmed their presence, widening the gap between them and the opposing team.

Alec infused mana into the space pouch, summoning Legion

”Get rid of the weakest link, let the rest handle the remaining enemies,” he ordered.

Making Legion nodded, his helmet transforming back into the distinctive T-shaped style, covering most of his face, as boosters activated from behind him and beneath his legs, propelling him into the sky.

With a swift motion, Legion retrieved a couple of items from his back and quickly assembled them into an AR-15, a semi-automatic rifle.

Gripping the weapon with ease while airborne, Legion’s shining right eye developed a mini scope, the four members of the Bandit Academy, who had blended in with the surrounding woods, witnessed Alec summoning Legion and taking to the air.

However, they remained motionless, convinced that Alec would never be able to locate them, let alone his golem.

The Bandit Academy members thrived on sneak attacks, as they could inflict more damage in such situations.

The chosen location seemed to favours their tactics, and they intended to take full advantage of it, preferring not to rush, they waited for Pale, Agnes, and Katie to enter the forest, making it easier for them to execute a deadly sneak attack.

They felt once they had eliminated the trio, they planned to close in and finish off Alec, whom they deemed overly arrogant due to his additional golem and boosted team numbers. Even so, they were confident they could take him on.